Powers to change e-Visa policy will be enacted from tomorrow (27 March) under the Immigration Regulation 2025. After this year the procedures for foreign nationals seeking entry clearance or immigration authorisation in the UK should be to obtain an e-Visa by setting up a customer account. Passport stickers will only continue in the short-term during the transition period.
Individuals who hold an Electronic Travel Authorisation and did not previously require visas to visit the UK are exempt from the changes. The ETA is similar to the United States’ immigration system. Holders of legacy immigration documents, such as a visa or passport endorsement and people granted permission under the EU Settlement Scheme will also be exempt.
Regulations 14 and 15 changes the requirements to apply for a biometric immigration document only when the residency is more than 6 months.
The UK opened ETA requirements to non-Europeans travelling from January 2025. A consultation took place back in 2023 where the UK government announced plans for the Electronic Travel Authorisation to replace the Electronic Visa Waiver Scheme.
Eligible Europeans can now apply for an ETA, which will be mandatory for their travel from 2 April 2025.
The biometric legislation is also updated mandating biometric immigration documents for all travellers except British citizens. It introduces a new requirement for biometric capture and sanctions if it is not followed. The requirement to collect and store facial images will be the same as for retaining fingerprints up to 15 years, and the Secretary of State reserves the power to refuse applications from individuals who fail to submit their biometrics.
The Home Office has been rolling out eVisas since 2018, initially to individuals granted permission under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) and then to other immigration routes. It became the main immigration authorisation which is secure and cannot be stolen, lost, or tampered with.
